Reclaiming His Wife

CHAPTER SIX - DATE NIGHT

As she descended the stairs that evening, carrying her clutch bag in one hand and her cashmere evening coat over her arm, Jessica’s foot faltered on the next step. She’d been hoping to show herself off to Mark before she left for her dinner, but he hadn't been in his room. Now her heart began knocking against her ribs when she saw the man in question look up from the corner bar in their hotel and catch sight of her. His glass stopped halfway to his mouth and he stared…just stared…as she slowly made her way down. Apparently, he had strategically chosen his seat to spot her descend.

Thanks to Erica, she knew she looked stunning. She’d always taken pride in her appearance and in making sure she looked right as the wife of a billionaire. Her mother-in-law had made sure of that. However, she'd always dressed on the conservative side. But this long-sleeved backless mini dress—this honey-coloured sequin material that stretched over her body like it had been lovingly cling-wrapped to every curve—made her feel like a little s*x kitten. She almost felt naughty for wearing the dress, as she'd had to go underwearless.

Without taking his eyes off her, Mark put his drink on the bar and watched her walk toward him. “I’m stunned,” he said in a deep, husky voice that held true admiration and sent her pulse fluttering. “I’ve never seen you look so…”

“Nice?” she gently teased as her confidence soared.

She forgot the animosity brewing between them right at this moment.

“Sexy...seductive...provocative...almost pornographic.”

The words took her breath away. She moistened her lips and saw his blue eyes dart to her mouth.

“Thank you, Mark.”

Then his gaze rolled down her, before slowly coming up again, his eyelids flicking briefly when he passed over her breasts both times. She had the feeling her n*****s may have beaded with s****l excitement and one part of her wanted to hunch over and say “don’t look,” while another forced her to hold her shoulders back proudly.

His eyes—dark with a desire she’d never seen before—finally stopped at her head.

“What have you done to your hair?”

She swallowed. It had taken the hairstylist over two hours to tame her natural kinky hair.

"I visited the salon and had it blown out and styled."

Shondra, the hairstylist had worked wonders too - she'd blown the hair out using all organic products, trimmed the end and then styled it into soft bouncing curls around her shoulders.

“It looks terrific. I loved it the way it was before. But this looks good too. It's given you a different look.”

This was the reaction she’d been hoping for from him. “Thank you again.”

He picked up his drink and took a sip. Then, “I have to ask you something.”

Her heart took a leap. “What is it, Mark?”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

She blinked. “Do what?” Go through with the divorce?

“Go out with Dewayne Bruce.”

His voice gave nothing away but her pulse started to race even more. Dear God, could Mark be a little jealous? How did he know his surname anyway? She'd never mentioned it. She said as much.

His eyes slammed into her. “My wife decides to go on a date with someone other than me. Of course, I'm going to have him investigated, Jessica.”

She felt a brief moment of annoyance but quickly tampered it down. She should not have expected anything less from him.

"So did your investigators find out anything I should know about?"

"Regretfully, nothing that would convince you not to go out with him tonight. But I will say this..."

"What?"

“He’s not your type, Jessica.”

Mark was jealous. She could hear it in his tone. She saw it in the way the vein in his jaw was ticking. She tried to act nonchalant. She couldn’t let his begrudging show of jealousy undo her hard-earned progress.

“How do you know what my type is, Mark?” she said, fluttering her eyelashes at him.

“Come on Jessica. We’re not only married, but we’ve been best friends for years. I know what suits you and what doesn’t and I know he’s not the man for you.”

No, this man in front of her was the man for her. Too bad he didn’t believe in love and couldn’t return her feelings.

“Oh, so you’re an expert on me now, are you?” she flirted.

She was ecstatic he was finally noticing her as a woman – someone to be desired.

It was this dress. She had so much to thank Erica for. The other woman had…

“I know you very well, Jessica,” he said, suddenly looking very superior, very arrogant. “You wouldn’t be happy with Dewayne. It would be pointless to pursue a relationship with him. The two of you are like oil and water. Trust me.”

“That’s your considered opinion, is it?” she said coolly now.

“Yes, it is.” His eyes told her he’d noticed her change in tone.

“Are you going to tell him you’re married?”

She was disappointed in the question.

“Of course I’ll tell him the truth.”

Throwing her coat over the back of the seat next to where Mark had been sitting since it had begun to weigh down her hands, she added snidely “that I’m in the process of getting a divorce.”

“No. That would be a lie,” he countered.

“You are not getting a divorce. You may be going through some early life crisis or you are experiencing a temporary leave of your sanity,” he pointed out dryly. Then, “But you’re not getting a divorce. Perhaps you don’t even have to go into detail. I doubt he’s after a long-term relationship anyway.”

“Neither am I,” she said, taking pleasure in the way his face hardened. “In the meantime, I’m sure Dewayne and I will both manage to enjoy ourselves. After all, our friendship spans decades.”

He looked all-knowing. “I doubt you’ll have anything in common.”

She raised one eyebrow. “Really? We share a country, similar cultural backgrounds, and the same ethnicity. I probably have more in common with him than I do you and I managed a three-year marriage to you.”

Mark’s lips twisted. “So you’ll talk about what? The country’s politics and economy? Sports? Remember I had him investigated. He’s the outdoors type. He’s a freaking tours’ guide. You hate the outdoors. That conversation will be a laugh a minute.”

Her fingers tightened on her clutch purse. He thought he was being clever, did he? She needed to wipe away that smirk. She gave him a sultry look. “Oh, I’m sure we’ll have plenty of…other things in common. If conversation fails, as they say – actions are better than words and all that.”

The smirk fell off his face. “Dammit, Jessica, you shouldn’t—”

“Jessie.”

Jessica glanced over at her shoulder and noticed Dewayne a few feet away. She tossed Mark an expressive look before going over to him.

Dewayne opened his arms to greet her, hugging her tightly before stepping back so his eyes could slide down, then up.

“Wow! You look sensational.” He grinned at Mark a few feet away. “I can’t believe this beauty is going out with me.”

“Neither can I,” Mark muttered, then as quickly gave a smooth smile but Jessica heard him. Stepping forward and extending his hand to Dewayne, he added “I saw you earlier, but didn’t get a chance to introduce myself. I’m Mark Thomas – Jessica’s husband.”

Jessica’s smile faltered.

Dewayne blinked. He had a puzzled look that said he was trying to figure out what was going on.

She hurriedly forced a smile. “Thanks for the compliment, Dewayne.”

She looked him up and down, too. “For the record, you look handsome,” she remarked.

She turned her head slightly facing Mark so Dewayne couldn’t see her stabbing her husband with her eyes.

“What Mark left out of his introduction, is that he is my soon to be EX-husband. I’ll explain over dinner.”

Mark ignored her. “So, where are you two dining tonight?”

Jessica was immediately suspicious. “Why do you want to know?”

He smiled. “No particular reason. Can’t a husband take an interest in his wife’s whereabouts?”

Trusting that Jessica would eventually bring him up to speed, Dewayne mentioned a restaurant across the Demerara Harbour Bridge. “It’s only just opened and I know the owner. It’ll be very hard to get a reservation in another month or so.” He didn’t sound like he was bragging, at least not to Jessica, but she saw a glint in Mark’s eyes that told her he wasn’t in agreement.

She smiled at Dewayne. “That sounds lovely.”

He looked pleased. “And you, Mark? You’re off to dinner, too, by the look of things.”

Wearing a dark suit, Mark looked like what he was - a billionaire. Jessica had to admit, as much as Dewayne looked hot in his button-down red shirt and black dress pants, he did not hold a candle to her husband. She was unable to stop herself from wishing she was going out with Mark instead of Dewayne, in spite of the fact that Mark was being an overbearing jerk.

“Just a business dinner in town.” Mark looked at his watch. “As a matter of fact, I’d better call a taxi. I need to be on my way.”

Dewayne frowned. “A taxi? Being a foreigner it might not be safe to do so this late in the evening.”

“This is only my second time in the country. All I know is the bits and pieces Jessica has told me over the years. Do you not think it’s safe for me to travel at night?”

Jessica sensed Mark was manipulating the situation for his own benefit again. Did he think she was stupid? He was doing this on purpose to try and keep her and Dewayne apart as much as possible to spoil her night. She was sure he’d rented a car or even bought one to use for the duration of his stay in the country. Besides, he had his bodyguards for security. There was no reason for him to be travelling alone at night.

She stared at him. “You have your bodyguards. Have one of them escort you to your business dinner so you’ll be safe.”

He looked totally guileless. “Since you made your dinner date, I gave them all the night off. I figured you wouldn’t want them trailing you, ruining your night.”

“We could give you a lift if you like,” Dewayne said, making Jessica want to smack him.

“Oh, I’m sure Mark doesn’t want to ride with us.” She was determined not to give her husband the satisfaction of ruining her night. “The hotel has a chauffeur service that is quite safe.”

Dewayne frowned. “No, that’s okay. I don’t mind. We’re going that way anyway.”

She would have sounded mean-spirited to refuse. As Mark well knew, she decided, watching the satisfaction in his eyes.

Returning to the bar, she retrieved her coat and passed it to Dewayne. “Would you mind helping me with this, please?”

“Of course.” Dewayne held it open while she slipped into it, then he helped lift her hair out from under the collar so that it was once again bouncing around her shoulders. It was somewhat intimate and Jessica felt a little awkward at having a man touch her hair, but she soon felt better when she saw the steely look in Mark’s eyes after he noted it, too.

“Thanks,” she said, smiling brightly at her date, then deliberately linked her arm with his. She gave Mark a sweet smile as he put on his black evening coat, letting him know she didn’t care that he wasn’t pleased. Too bad!